Discriminative ability of the three functional tests in independent ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury who walked with and without ambulatory assistive devices

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2014 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772313Y.0000000139 · Published: January 1, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Assistive Technology

Simple Explanation

The study investigates how well three tests (10-meter walk, five times sit-to-stand, and timed up and go) can distinguish walking ability in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) who use different walking aids. The tests help to determine if someone uses the correct walking aid to promote independence. Walking with a suitable device can help patients have the most efficient way to move and advance their walking skills. The study found that these tests could differentiate between people who use no aids, canes, walkers, and crutches, but it also suggests that the sit-to-stand test could be a simple way to check if someone using a walker is ready to progress to a less supportive device.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

85 independent ambulatory persons with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Persons not using AADs performed significantly better than those using AADs in all tests.
2
Those using canes performed significantly better than those using walkers.
3
No significant differences were found between those using walkers and crutches in any test.

Research Summary

This study aimed to determine the discriminative ability of three functional tests (10MWT, FTSST, and TUGT) in independent ambulatory subjects with SCI who used different ambulatory assistive devices (AADs). The results indicated that the tests could effectively differentiate the functional ability of non-AAD users from those using walkers, crutches, and canes. The TUGT exhibited the best discriminative ability among the three tests, while no significant differences were observed between subjects using walkers and crutches, potentially due to subject selection criteria.

Practical Implications

Clinical Utility

The 10MWT, FTSST, and TUGT can be used for screening and monitoring functional changes in SCI patients using different AADs.

AAD Prescription

Findings support using a quantitative standard measure to determine the appropriate AAD for SCI patients to promote independence.

Sit-to-Stand Screening

Ability of independent sitting-to-standing may be a simple screening tool for walking advancement of walker users.

Study Limitations

1
Subjects were grouped by preferred AAD, not highest ability, potentially affecting findings.
2
The study's inclusion criteria (independent sit-to-stand and walking 50m) may limit the findings' generalizability to patients with better walking ability.
3
It is difficult to distinguish whether the findings are the effects of demands related to use of an AAD or the disability due to the SCI.

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